Bowling-alley pin-spotter.



No. 729,118. v .PATENTED MAIZB, 1903. G. L. BASTIA NP'. BOWLING ALLEY PIN SPOTTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 1902. 10 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 729,118. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

G. (L. BASTIAN, BOWLING ALLEY PIN SPOTTER. APPLIOATIQN FILED MAR. 20, 1902. no MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET z,-

? fihaw UNirnD STATES Patented May 26, 1903.

CHARLES L. BASTIAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOWLING-ALLEY PIN -SPOTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 729,118, dated May 26, 1903.

Application filed March 20, 1902. Serial No. 99,097. g (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. BASTIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bowling-Alley Pin-Spotters, of which the following is a specification.

The principal objects of this invention are to facilitate the operation of setting up bowling-alley pins and to spot them mechanically in correct position on the spots on the alleybed.

The means which have heretofore been devised for setting up bowling-alley pins are objectionable in many ways and have never to my knowledge gone into practical use. At the present time the pins are universally set up and spotted manually by an attendant, and careful attention and considerable time are required on his part to properly spot each pin so that it will correctly aline with the others. Considerable annoyance is constantly experienced by bowlers on account of the delays which occur in setting up pins where the attendant is careful to correctly spot them and also on account of the imperfect spotting of pins, which is due, generally, to carelessness on the part of the attendant and is sometimes the means resorted to for taking unfair advantage of a player.

It is my object, therefore, to provide simple means for facilitating the setting-up op eration and for absolutely insuring the correct spotting of bowling-alley pins by requiring the attendant simply to throw the pins into the spotter without regard to spotting them and raise and lower the same, which requires no particular skill and can be accomplished very quickly.

My invention also has for its object to provide a pin-spotter of the character specified which can be used with a single set of pins and which does not require the alloy to be cleared before it can be used of those pins remaining standing on or close to the spots.

WVith these and other ends in view the invent-ion contemplates an apparatus which can be lowered into position on the alley-bed for receiving and spotting the pins correctly upon the spots on the bed and then carried away from the pins, leaving them in perfect alinement and position, said apparatus comview of one of the pin boxes or compartments,

showing the same descending upon a pin which has remained standing upon the alley, but out of position. Fig. 4 is a sectional view ofa pin-box, showing the pin positioned therein. Fig. 5 is a sectional View showing another form in which the invention may be embodied. Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views on the lines 6 6 and 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. Sis an edge View of one guide-plate 37. Fig. 9 shows another way of guiding the spotter.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the several figures, and particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, 9 designates one of the pin boxes or compartments, which is preferably of rectangular form and of sufficient size to accommodate the body of a pin 10. The positioning devices of the box comprise shoes capable of moving into closed position to receive and center the pin. on its spot and into open position to clear the pin as the apparatus is carried away. The shoe consists, preferably, of a piece of wood having its inner face 13 shaped to conform to the lower portion of the body of a pin, and it is provided with a shank 14, which may consist of 'amovable section of the side or other part of the box. In Figs. 3 and 4 the shoe-shank is arranged to slide in inclined guides 12, fastened to the sides of the box, and for this purpose it is provided with guide-rollers 15 16, carried by the rods or shafts 17 18 and operating in grooves 19 in the opposing sides of the guides 12. The rod 18 is shown carried by extensions 20 on the shank l4, and the shank and shoe are prevented from slipping out of the guides bya cross-pin 21 at the bottom thereof. One of these boxes is provided for each pin, and they are held together and in proper relative position in a suitable manner, as by a frame 23, which may be of any suitable form. In Fig. 1 I have shown a triangular frame provided with a metal strengtheningplate 24 and a top plate 25, both plates having openings 26,corresponding in size and position to the boxes. I prefer to make the top plate 25 of wood or other material which will not injure the pins, and, if desired, the edge ofthe top plate surrounding each opening may be lined with soft material of suitable character.

The spotter is adapted to be raised and lowered above the alley-bed,and it is guided so that the shoes will correctly position each pin with relation to the others and squarely upon its spot on the alley-bed.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the spotter provided with curved arms 27, carrying guide-sleeves 28, which are arranged to travel on the upright guide-rods 29, mounted centrally within the side partitions or kick-backs 30 of the alley, and these curved arms are connected by a cross-bar 3l,'to which a rope 32 is'attached and passed over a pulley 33, suspended from the ceiling 34. The spotter may thus be raised and lowered by operating the rope; but many other means may be'employed for this purpose, and it will be understood that I do not in any way restrict myself to any particular means. Y

Instead of guiding the spotter on side rods 29 or in addition to such guides I may employ arms 35, fastened to the sides of the spotter and extending downward to enter openings 36 in the gutters 37, the upper end of these openings being preferably enlarged and the lower end of the arms being pointed, so that they will readily enter the openings and hold the spotter in correct position. As a further means for holding the spotter in correct position on the alley-bed I mayemploy adjustable guide-plates 37, Fig. 2, fastened by screws 38 on the back of the spotter and projecting below the same to engage the back end of the alley-bed, and the lower ends of these guideplates may be beveled in the manner shown in Fig.8.

In practice the spotterwill be lowered onto the alley-bed, the guides being set and arranged so that the pin-spots on the bed are centrally disposed in the pin-boxes of the spotter, and the attendant then throws the pins into the boxes. It will be observed that when the spotter is elevated above the alleybed the shoes will slide by gravity into open and lowered position, as shown in Fig. 3, said shoes being forced into closed position, as shown in Fig. 4:, by the alley-bed as the spotter comes to rest thereon. When the shoes are in closed position, those in each box will collectively inclose and surround the lower portion of the body of the pin and correctly center and position the pin on its spot. This is accomplished without any attention on the part of the attendant, who simply throws the pins into the boxes after the spotter is lowered onto the alley bed without attempting to spot them, this being accomplished solely by the shoes. After all of the pins have been placed in the boxes the spotter is elevated 7c and the shoes slide down and out into open position by gravity, so that they will clear the body of the pin as the spotter is raised. These shoes may be weighted, if necessary,

to cause them to slide properlyin the guides 7; in the manner described, and as they are always in open position while the spotter is elevated above the alley-bed it is apparent that the spotter may be lowered upon the pins, which may remain standing on their spots or close thereto, and therefore it is not necessary to clearthe alley of such pins before the spotter is brought into operation. When the apparatus is elevated,the alley is left entirely clear, and when the spotter is resting upon the alley-bed the boxes are protected by the frame against injury by balls accidentally thrown at such time.

It is apparent that the particular construction and arrangement of the box and its parts may be changed and varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it will be understood that I reserve the right to make all such changes as come within the scope of the invention.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a construction in which the shoes are arranged to swing on pivots instead of sliding in the manner previously described. The shoe-supports are pivoted by pins 39 to the sides of the box and too are connected above the pivots by links 40 with a cap ll on the top of a standard 42, this standard being of sufficient weight to throw. the shoes into open position whenthe spotter is elevated, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 5, and being of sufficient length to project at such time below the boxes, so that they will engage the alley-bed when the spotter is lowered before the boxes and throw the shoes into closed position, as shown in full lines in no Fig. 5.

My invention presents important advantages over those heretofore devised, as it does not in any way mutilate the alley-bed or the pins and is entirely free and disconnected from the pins and bed during the play. It is simple in construction and enables the pins to be set up with great rapidity and at the same time insures their correct spotting. This is accomplished entirely by the spotter, and

the attendant is only required to throw the pins into the boxes,which enables the pins to be set up and the alley cleared in much less time than if the attendant is required to spot them.

In the drawings I have shown the boxes and frame of the spotter constructed almost entirely of wood; but I contemplate making the boxes and frame entirely of sheet or other metal, and would therefore have it underr 0 stood thatI do not limit myself in any way to the use of material of any particular kind. I would prefer, however, that the shoes be provided at least with a wood facing as well as will avoid injuring the pins.

the edge surrounding the opening in the top; but other material may be employed which The shoes are shown fastened to their shanks by screws; but it is apparent that they may be made integral, if desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A verticallymovable pin spotter for bowling-alleys, comprising movable positioning devices, and means for moving said dovices into closed position to receive the pins when the spotter is brought to rest thereon.

2. A verticallymovable pin spotter for bowling-alleys, comprising normally open po-- sitioning devices, in combination with the alley-bed and adapted to move said devices into closed position to receive the pin when the spotter is brought to rest thereon.

3. A vertically-movable pin-spotter for bowling-alleys, comprising movable positioning devices, and,means for moving said devices upward and inward into closed position to receive the pin when the spotter is brought to rest thereon.

4. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising movable positioning devices constructed to open by gravity when the spotter is raised, and means for raising the spotter to clear the pins.

5. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising movable positioning devices constructed to move outward by gravity in opposite directions to clear the pins when the spotter is raised, and means for raising the spotter to clear the pins. v

6. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising movable positioning devices adapted to move downward and outward by gravity when the spotter is raised, and means for raising the spotter to clear the pins.

7. The combination with the bed of a bowling-alley, of a pinspotter, comprising movable positioning devices constructed to close when the spotter is brought to rest on the alley-bed and to open when the spotter is carried away from the bed, and means for operating the spotter.

8. The combination with the bed of a bowling-alley, of a pin-spotter, comprising movable positioning devices adapted to be closed by contact with the alley-bed when the spotter is brought to rest thereon and to open by gravity as the spotter is carried away from the bed, and means for operating the spotter.

9. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a box to receive each pin, and devices in the box for positioning the pin when placed therein.

10. Abowling-alleypin-spotter,comprisiug a box to receive each pin, and movable devices in the sides of the box for positioning the pin when placed therein and adapted to clear the pin when the spotteris carried away.

11. A bowling-alley pin-spotter,comprisin g a box to receive each pin, and devices in the box conforming to the contour of the lower portion of the pin and adapted to receive and position the same.

12. Abowling-alleypin-spotter,comprising a box to receive each pin, and movable positioning-shoes arranged to move in and out of the box.

13. A bowling-alley pin-spotter,comprising a box to receive each pin, movable positioning-shoes, and means for moving said shoes upward and inward into closed position and outward and downward into open position.

14. In a bowling-alley pin-spotter, a box to receive each pin and having openings in its sides, and positioning-shoes operating in said openings.

'15. Abowling-alleypin-spotter,comprising a box to receive each pin, and having openings in its sides, and positioning-shoes arranged to move through said openings from closed position in the box to open position outside of the box.

16. A bowling-alley pin-spotter,comprising a box to receive each pin, and having openings in its sides, positioning-shoes operating in said openings, and inclined guides for said shoes.

17. Abowling-alleypin-spotter,comprising movable positioning devices and inclined guides for said devices.

18. Abowling-alleypin-spotter,comprising a box to receive each pin and having openings in its sides, inclined guides adjacent to said openings, and positioning devices comprising shoes arranged to slide in said guides.

19. In a bowling-alleypin-spotter,two pairs of movable positioning devices for each pin having their opposing faces shaped to conform to the longitudinal outline of the lower portion of the pin and together forming a socket therefor.

20. In a bowling-alley pin-spotter, a box to receive each pin and having openings in its sides and movable positioning devices operating in said openings and having their opposing faces shaped to form a socket for the lower portion of a pin.

21. The combination with a bowling-alley bed, of a pin-spotter comprising positioning devices for the pins normally in open position, and means for lowering the spotter onto the alley-bed into position to receive the pins, thereby closing the positioning devices by contact with the bed, and for raising the spotter above the pins, the positioning devices moving outward by gravity to clear the pins when the spotter is raised.

22. The combination with a bowling-alley bed, of a pin-spotter comprising a box for each pin, devices carried by each box for positioning the pin therein, and means for raising and lowering the spotter.

23. The combination with a bowling-alley bed, of a pin-spotter, means for operating the spotter and guiding devices at the back thereof to engage the rear end of the alleybed.

24. The combination with a bowling=alley bed, of a pin-spotter, guide-rods at the side of the bed, arms connected with the spotter and guided on said rods, and means for moving the spotter vertically.

25. The combination with a bowling-alley bed, of a vertically-movable pin-spotter comprising means to receive and position the pins while restingon the alley-bed, and means for raising the spotter above the bed without disturbing the pins.

26. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a box to receive each pin and devices for positioning the pin, and a frame inclosing the boxes.

27. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising means for positioning pins in proper place directly on an alley-bed, an inclosing frame, and a top provided with openings to receive the pins.

28. A bowling-alleypin-spotter comprising boxes to receive the pins, means carried by the boxes for centering the pins in proper position with relation to each other, and means for elevating the spotter to leave the pins spotted in proper position on the alley-bed.

29. Abowling-alley pin-spotter, com prising aframe, and two pairs of oppositely-arranged devices carried by the frame for positioning each pin.

30. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a frame, and two pairs of oppositely-arranged and independently-operating devices carried by the frame for positioning each pin.

31. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a frame, and two pairs of oppositely arranged and pivoted devices carried by the frame for positioning each pin.

32. Abowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a frame, and two pairs of oppositely-arranged and independently-operating pivoted devices carried by the frame for positioning each pin.

33. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a box for receiving each pin, and two pairs of diametrically opposite devices for positioning the pins in the boxes.

3a. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising a frame having a fixed top provided with openings to receive each pin, and movable devices carried by the frame below the top for positioning the pins placed in the frame through the openings in the top thereof.

35. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising aframe havingafixed top provided with openings to receive the pins and depending sides, and devices below the top and inclosed by the sides and arranged to move in and out of the vertical plane of the walls of said openings for positioning the pins placed in the frame through the openings in the top.

36. A bowling-alley pin-spotter of triangular form, comprising a frame having a fixed top provided with openings to receive the pins and depending sides, and independent movable devices suspended from the top and adjacent to the openings therein for positioning the pinsplaced in the frame through said openings.

37. A bowling-alley pin-spotter, comprising aframe having a top provided with openings to receive the pins, and sides, boxes depending from the top and around the openings therein, devices in the sides of said boxes for positioning the pins when the frame is at rest on the alley-bed and constructed to open to clear the pins when the frame is elevated, and means for raisingand lowering the frame.

CHARLES L. BASTIAN.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. BELT, ADOLPH BERNARTZ. 

